Eosinophilic fasciitis in a child.

A 13-year-old boy with a three-year history of an illness characterized by stiff hands, arthralgias in the metacarpophalangeal joints, flexion contractures in all fingers, and thickened skin over his hands, arms, and thighs had an initial diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with dry synovitis. Eosinophilia and a deep-fascial biopsy led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis. Prednisone therapy resulted in sustained subjective and objective improvement.